The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

This book is the least favorite of mine out of all of the series. It doesn't fit well with the rest of the books, and the story is only averagely exciting.

Shasta is a boy who is about to be sold into slavery. The man who has been taking care of him has decided to sell him to a passing soldier. However, to Shasta's surprise, the soldier's horse can talk. And Bree (the horse) offers to take him to freedom and the North where Narnia lies. Together they will escape to freedom. Along the way they encounter another talking horse (Hwin) and the noble girl who is riding her. They too are escaping for the North. Together they must encounter great peril in order to get there.

The characters are all rather so-so in this book. The horses both aren't the strongest of characters, and in fact, Bree is rather annoying and conceited. The humans don't have a lot of their own personality. It was also kind of sad how all the Calormen's seem to be terrible people for the most part. I know every book could use a bad guy, but a whole race?

Lewis's writing is good, but in this one it falls short of all the other books. It just isn't a good fit for the rest of the books and while it provides some history, I actually found the story kind of boring and too easy. Everything happens to the positive and coincidences and good fortune are always in the knick of time. It just doesn't seem realistic.

Definitely not my favorite, and one I only read because I feel compelled to when I have the other books of the series out. Only those who really like the series should probably read this one or risk being disappointed.

The Horse and His Boy
Copyright 1954
241 pages

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

This is one of those books I'm not sure what to think of. While I adore the series, this one sometimes leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Its actually the first of the series I've ever read (my mom got it for me when I was very young because of the unicorn on the cover). For that experience, all I can say is read the other books first or you will be completely and utterly lost in this book. For those not familiar with Narnia, it is a magical land filled with mythical creatures, noble people, and talking animals; not to mention the great lion Aslan.

This book starts you out with trepidation by introducing you to the last King of Narnia, Trinian, and his faithful Unicorn companion Jewel. They are enjoying a relaxing time when they hear that someone is felling the ancient tress and the dryads are dying. Behind these capers are an old tricky Ape and his somewhat less clever donkey friend named Puzzle, who was tricked into wearing the skin of a lion and pretending to be Aslan. The Ape is doing horrible things in the name of Aslan, including bringing in Calormen's to enslave and take all that is good in Narnia. The King, when captured, calls outl for help in the form of the young children who have saved Narnia in the past, and Eustace and Jill come to try to help save the day.

This book was very rushed and as so, the characters are hurried as well. Puzzle is sweet and a bit clueless but its sometimes hard to believe he would believe the Ape so readily. The Ape himself is loathsome as is most of his ready companions. Jill and Eustace are present in the book but not a lot of time is given to their characters, other than the skills they have learned and can use to help Trinian.

The writing as said before, is rushed and the story passes along all too quickly. It is probably a good pace for children, and this is a children's book and appropriate for them. It has an interesting plot and concept but I do want to take time to explain why this book infuriates me at times. These books have a decidedly Christian tone and most the time that is ok because it is only a background theme throughout the books. This book brings it front and center and out in the open and while that would be ok normally, Lewis uses it and makes some somewhat offensive judgments (at least in my opinion). Using Aslan, and the Calormen god Tash, Lewis makes some comparisons between religions that are a bit condescending. For Atheists there is apparently no hope at all according to this book as they are all quite bad people and don't get anything good in the end (there is one dwarf that might be considered an atheist at a point, but apparently changes his mind later on and receives good things). It's just a little sad that the book couldn't be more accepting and kind towards other ways of thinking.

Now that I'm off that tangent I do think this book is important to read because it is the end of the series and has a finale for the characters. Overall I'd probably rate this one 3.5 stars just because while its a good story, it is offensive to certain groups of people who may have started the series loving the other books and then got to this one.

The Last Battle
Copyright 1956
228 pages

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

This book could be considered a stand alone, but I highly recommend reading the preceding stories in the Narnia series for first. As a part of the Narnia series, it is definitely interesting, but not the best nor worst of the series. For those who haven't heard of Narnia, it is a magical land watched over by Aslan the great lion and inhabited by noble people, mythical creatures, and talking animals.

In the Silver Chair, Eustace (who has visited before) and his schoolmate Jill are running from bullies when they are brought into Narnia. Due to foolishness, Jill accidentally pushes him off a cliff, but he is saved by Aslan, and after Aslan gives Jill a task, she is also swept away by his breath to arrive in the Kingdom of Narnia just as Prince Caspian is leaving its shores on a journey. They watch the old King leave and then set off to find his son Rilian, who was kidnapped years before. Their only companion on this journey is a Marsh-Wiggle named Puddleglum who is sober and depressing, but very level headed throughout the novel. They have many dangerous encounters on their adventure and their biggest enemies seem to be themselves at times. But they must stick it through and find Rilian or die in the trying.

I think that this book has some very undeveloped characters. Rilian doesn't have much description in the way of personality and Eustace, while present isn't elaborated on. I just found Jill annoying, which was a shame as she was a main character. My favorite would have to be Puddleglum as he was written excellently. But neither he nor the Green Lady had very much history or backstory that I would have liked to see. After all, we have never heard of Marsh-wiggles before and I wonder where they've been in all the books before this one.

The writing is appropriate for children (just a few minor curse words) and should be easily understandable. There are a few scary parts, but they are over quickly and should have no lasting effects. An adult may find the book rushed, but it is a good pace for children. There is nice description on the areas and land and other fascinating things, but as said before the characters seemed to lack this same care.

Overall it is a good book, but not my favorite in the series. It fits in well and provides a nice change of pace from the rest of the series.

The Silver Chair
Copyright 1953
257 pages

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my favorite book of the Narnia series. Its absolutely captivating and each time I read it I look forward to it again. I actually haven't watched the movie yet because I'm afraid it will spoil it for me. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading the other books before this to get some history on the series. For those who have never read the book before, it involves the world of Narnia, that only a few special people can get to, and is a world filled with magical creatures, talking animals, and a great lion named Aslan who is good and wise.

A year later from their last journey there in Pevensie time (and 3 years in Narnian) Lucy and Edmund find themselves falling through a painting with their incorrigible cousin Eustace into the sea of Narnia. They are picked up by none other than Prince Caspian who is on a journey to the East to find some missing lords his uncle had exiled. There is a lot to be found to the East however, and they hope eventually to come to Aslan's country. It isn't always easy, but the adventurer's know that there's is an important trip.

I like the characters in this book. Eustace starts out being a brat but then grows throughout the novel to at least likable. In comparison to his role, Lucy and Edmund actually weren't described quite as much. Caspian was better in this novel and more time was given to his character and personality. All of the side characters are very interesting as well.

This is a quick read for adults since it is geared for children. Still, it is a good book and highly appropriate for most ages (although there are a few minor curse words). There is a lot of adventure and its one of the most exciting tales in the world of Narnia. Each scene was very rich and descriptive and unique in its own way.

I think this is the best book of the series. Having read through all of them, I sometimes return to this one without reading any of the others just because I enjoy it so much.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Copyright 1952
271 pages

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Prince Caspian is a part of the series of Narnia, a magical land visited only by a special few. While it isn't necessary to read any of the other books before this one, I highly recommend reading at least The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe. For those not familiar with the story, Narnia is a world that the Pevensie children have stumbled into, and with the help of Aslan (a mighty lion), became Kings and Queens of the land before eventually returning to their own home and time.

In this book, the children have returned after Prince Caspian has blown Susan's enchanted horn. Their return is just in time; Caspian's uncle, who has taken over the throne, is aiming to kill Caspian and so destroy the last true heir of Narnia. Under his Uncle's rule, the original beings of Narnia (talking animals, mythical creatures, etc.) have been outcast and live in fear. Caspian and the Pevensie's will need to do all that they can to restore everything to its rightful balance, and take his Uncle off of the throne.

The characters are not nearly as well developed in this book. We seem some spark of the former characters of the children, but they are really an aside to this story as compared to Caspian. But even Caspian is only half developed and for being a main character, I couldn't really connect with him. There are several minor characters that I did like. These being the badger, some of the dwarves and of course Aslan.

The writing is aimed towards children and as such an adult might find it rushed and desire more detail. There isn't really anything offensive in it (aside from one minor curse word) and it is highly appropriate for anyone to read. It has a special narrator, who talks to the reader, and this makes the reading more personal, which is nice.

I do like the series and while this isn't the best of them, it is still important to read it as it continues the story of Narnia and sets up some history for the next few books.

Prince Caspian
Copyright 1951
238 pages

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

This is probably one of the most popular fantasy books out there, especially for the younger set. When the movie came out (which I also loved) it just furthered the popularity of this series. While it can be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the complete series for the full richness and history that is contained for the world of Narnia.

When Lucky, Edmund, Peter, and Susan have to go to the countryside to escape the air raids and war, they stay with a kindly professor at his rather large house. There is plenty to explore, and it is on a rainy day that Lucy finds a magical doorway to another world, inside the wardrobe in a spare room. She quickly makes a friend in a faun and learns of the evil White Witch who fancies herself Queen of Narnia. The other children don't believe her about her adventures though, and this is even worse for her when Edmund comes through too but lies about it to the other children. Finally and quite by accident they all make it to Narnia and learn that they have been expected. Aslan, the great lion, wants to see them and they set out to meet him and help him with his fight against the White Witch. However, they experience a setback when Edmund defects to the witch's side and they feel sure that he is lost to them.

The characters, despite this being a short book, are very well done. I love Lucy and think she is charming and sweet. Peter is rather noble and distant, and Edmund of course is a complete brat in the beginning of the book without hardly any redeeming qualities. The other characters are quite nice as well and it is easy to see that Aslan has a regal bearing.

The writing is great and definitely the most appropriate for kids (adults might find the story a little rushed) and while there are battles there is not extreme violence in this book. In fact, the only thing I found offensive was Father Christmas saying women shouldn't fight in wars, but that could just be the small bit of feminist in me. There are Christian tones, but they aren't strong in voice and are rather just a background to the story itself. It is read more as a fantasy novel, and highly appropriate that way.

I love the series and especially this book and read it over and over. I don't think I could ever tire of it. With all the fantasy novels out there, this is definitely one that should be read.

The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe
Copyright 1950
206 pages (and my edition had black and white pictures as well)

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

The Magician's Nephew is the first book in the chronicles of Narnia. While it is not as well known as the others, it is the beginning, and so, a very important book for the series.

Diggory and his new friend Polly have been tricked into going to a different world by his somewhat mad, magician uncle. With some magical rings they are transported to a calm forest filled with pools that lead to different worlds. It is in one of these worlds, Charn, that Diggory does something terrible and awakens a beautiful but treacherous Queen who demands to go back to their world with them as hers is dying. She does manage to tag along despite their best efforts and is soon wreaking havoc on London. As the children try to get her back, they inadvertently transport themselves, Diggory's Uncle, the Queen, and a bystanding cabby and his horse along with them. From there they go to an empty world. But to their wonder this world does not remain empty for long, because a certain lion has just started singing.

The characters are very undescribed in this book. I would have loved some back history on the evil Queen and why she was the way she was. Even Diggory's Uncle didn't have a good basis described for being the way he was. Poor Polly was more of a sidekick character and the only one who really had any real emotion was Diggory himself.

The writing was decent and appropriate for children although they may not understand everything that goes on. The story is rushed though and for it to be the beginning of a magical world, I expected a lot more to the story. The novel does have Christian tones but they are not very preachy and instead it reads as a regular fantasy novel for the most part. Especially since it includes the use of magic.

I do love the Narnia tales. While this is not the best of them, it is still very important to read as it marks the start and does explain some history of the series. It should definitely be included in the reading list of all that is Narnia.

The Magician's Nephew
Copyright 1955
202 pages (The Edition I had had several wonderful color pictures as well)